Events & Activities

Great times. Greater cause. Join us to save Maxo Vanka.

Chatham Baroque

 

Friday, December 6th

Chatham Baroque returns to the Vanka Murals!

Featuring Pascale Beaudin (soprano) and an array of superb instrumentalists playing on violins, viols, and lutes, Chatham Baroque brings to life rarely heard jewels of music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and his predecessors.

Pre-concert Mural tour begins at 6:30 PM, concert begins at 7:30PM
An arts educator leans across a table full of art supplies to help a parent and child with a project.
Creative Happening

Family Collage & Connect

 

Sunday, December 8th

Immerse yourself in the spirit of Vanka’s message of love and connection while creating heartfelt collage gifts for your loved ones. Led by Vanka educators and local artist Lynne B, this family-friendly Creative Happening offers a warm, welcoming space for all ages to enjoy a memorable, hands-on experience. Whether you’re crafting your first collage or a seasoned creator, this event invites everyone to express their creativity and share meaningful moments with family.

Children must be over 6 years old and accompanied by an adult.

Two people look up at the newly restored ceiling murals of St Nicholas Church,

Holiday Lights Tours

 

December 26th-31st

Holiday celebrations continue with the one-and-only Vanka Murals!  Enjoy pre-tour performances and a 60-minute docent-led tour surrounded by the splendor of the season.

Discover the stories behind these striking works—painted in 1937 and 1941—and how they reflect the lives of working-class Pittsburghers and be among the first to see the awe-inspiring results of recent conservation.

Guests will also be treated to homemade Croatian Cookies, and special merchandise.

Make a visit to the Vanka Murals part of your holiday traditions!

A small child draws while sitting on the floor under the large Madonna Mural.

Holiday Family Program

 

December 27th & December 30th

Join us for a festive, family-friendly 60-minute interactive tour crafted for young children and their families to explore history and art together. Set amidst the season’s lights and decorations, this multi-generational experience brings the Vanka Murals to life with hands-on activities for little ones.

After the tour, enjoy refreshments in the cozy church basement and connect with other families. All ages welcome, with up to three adults per child for an engaging experience.

Recent Events

Conservation Celebration & Open House

 

7-9PM Tuesday, October 29th

We invited everyone to join us for the reveal of the Transcendent Vision and to help us celebrate our conservation team!

Attendees viewed the results of recent conservation efforts while learning more about the preservation work. They were among the first to see new additions to the Vanka Collection and sketches by community artists. The event featured raffles, button-making, dessert, and more.

This event was free and open to the public, with registration strongly encouraged. Those who registered were automatically entered into our raffle drawing!

 

Vanka sketching session in Pittsburgh neighborhood
Creative Happening

Thanks for joining us for the 2024 Vanka Sketching Sessions!

Together we took a closer look at four iconic Pittsburgh sites: Allegheny Cemetery with John Martine & Scott Brozovich, Carrie Furnace with Rick Landesberg & Laura Vinchesi, Allegheny Commons Park with Jourinoe (Dejouir Brown) & Juliandra Jones, The Vanka Murals with Jon Funari, Kate Lundy & Suzanne Werder.

Join us again in 2025!

These sketching sessions are made possible in part by a Mini-Grant from Rivers of Steel and DCNR

Foraging the Murals Flower Workshop and Tour Maxo Vanka Creative Happenings
Creative Happening

Foraging the Murals

Flower Workshop & Tour

Sunday August 25th 3:30-5:30

This Creative Happening unfolds in two parts. First, join Vanka educator Maggie Negrete  as she guide guests through foraging the flowers depicted in the Murals. Participants will delve into the symbolism behind each flower that Maxo Vanka meticulously included in his Murals.

In the workshop portion, participants will explore the art of Tatakizome under the guidance of local fiber artist and passionate gardener, Amy Garbark. Tatakizome is an innovative technique that imprints the delicate details and vivid colors of flowers onto fabric. Each participant will leave with their own printed bag, filled with seeds of native species.

Millvale Music Festival
Creative Happening

The Millvale Music Festival

Friday, May 17 in the evening

  • Music in the sanctuary
    Free for all ages

Saturday, May 18 from 11am-3pm

  • Music in the sanctuary
    Free for all ages

Learn more at millvalemusic.org or check them out on Facebook.

Mother and Daughter making buttons
Creative Happening

Family Button Making
at the Millvale Music Festival

Saturday, May 18 from 11am-3pm

  • Join us at two locations — in the heart of the festival in Millvale and up the hill at the Vanka Murals.
  • Free for all ages.
  • Co-lead with our partners from the LIGHT Education Initiative.

This program is part of the Remake Learning Days. Read more at remakelearningdays.org or on Facebook.

Table Talks

A “Table Talk” is a conversation with experts working to enhance and grow the Vanka Murals’ mission to save and share the one-of-a-kind murals of immigrant artist Maxo Vanka in St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale and to continue to connect the artist’s message to contemporary society and issues.

Our Annual Events

Have a look back at great times in Millvale.

Vanka Block Party

Paint the Town Maxo

Book a Tour